A great Speyside malt like Glenlivet, perhaps one of the most legendary ones, always deserves great respect and time. The large hogshead has let the spirit evolve slowly and without dominating its true character, so in spite of the old age this bottling remains very true to the delicate and sophisticated style of the distillery. Very biscuity and fragrant, with notes of honey, propolis and spring flowers, it also has a nice and firm minerality and delicate tannins which provide balance and partly steal the show from the never too obvious sweetness. Clean, with just a touch of wax and a suggestion of smoke, it’s an elegant old malt with only a hint of oakiness: very elegant, perfumed and fascinating.